Ecologically
sensitive living is frequently assumed to
be more expensive than the status quo. Although
some costs are higher than “regular”
housing, others are far lower. In this chapter,
planning, building, and operating expenses
are evaluated. Positive benefits, from community
purchasing and on site production of food
and other goods/services, are considered.
Ultimately, the cost of ecological building
and living appears commensurate with “regular”
housing. The following chapter, “Design:
Getting it Right,” expands upon the
traditional definition of “cost”
to look at the long term price of consuming
finite resources.